As expected, Powell River municipal staff are recommending a double-digit tax increase for a community already struggling with the affordability crisis [“Tax forecast revealed for City of Powell River,” December 5] and the loss of the town's only major industry taxpayer (the mill).
With a solution at hand - the annual multi-million dollar earnings of the Powell River Community Forest (PRCF), 100 per cent owned by the City of Powell River - city council appears to have an incomprehensible reluctance to holding the line on taxes while maintaining services by absorbing PRCF revenue to make ends meet.
Yes, it would be a difficult move to shift PRCF revenue to core funding and break tradition. But there are literally no alternatives, at least none being articulated by the mayor and council.
We are living in unprecedented times politically, at all levels, and it is a profoundly uncomfortable moment, except for those who are comfortable. The rest of us are looking for leadership and creativity where wise, bold choices can be made if there is sufficient political will.
Hello? Mayor Woznow? Fellow council members? How about a big idea aimed at making life a little bit easier for the people of Powell River?
John Young,
Wildwood
